When time is reckoned by the position of the sun, it is known as solar time. Solar time is based on the position of the sun in the sky, with noon being the time when the sun is at its highest point. This method of measuring time was widely used before the invention of clocks and watches, and is still used in some traditional societies today. One of the key factors in calculating solar time is the Earth's rotation on its axis. As the Earth spins, different parts of the planet are exposed to the sun's rays at different times. This is why solar time can vary from one location to another. In order to standardize timekeeping, the world has adopted Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is based on atomic clocks and is kept in sync with the Earth's rotation through the use of leap seconds. Solar time can be divided into two main types: apparent solar time and mean solar time. Apparent solar time is based on the actual position of the sun in the sky, and can vary from day to day due to the Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt. Mean solar time, on the other hand, is an average of the sun's position over the course of a year, and is used to create time zones and standardize timekeeping. In addition to solar time, there are other ways of reckoning time based on astronomical phenomena. For example, sidereal time is based on the position of the stars in the sky, and is used by astronomers to calculate the Earth's rotation and the positions of celestial objects. There is also lunar time, which is based on the phases of the moon and is used in some traditional calendars. To learn more about solar time and its role in timekeeping, you can visit websites such as [www.timeanddate.com](https://www.timeanddate.com) and [www.britannica.com](https://www.britannica.com). These resources provide in-depth information on the history and science of solar time, as well as its impact on our daily lives. By understanding the concept of solar time, we can gain a greater appreciation for the ways in which humans have measured and organized time throughout history.

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